In the grave yard at the rear of the Church of "St Mary of the Purification", Blidworth, just inside the iron gates, lays Will Scarlet's grave. In actual fact this oddly mismatched assembly of old stones was formed using the original apex of the church tower, and is not really a grave stone at all. But was Will Scarlet buried here?
There are graves on this hill side, within the boundaries of Sherwood Forest, which are much older than the present building, and no doubt some of the men buried here had disputes with the Sheriff of Nottingham. Possibly one such man was Will Scarlet himself. Whatever the truth, these unmarked stones serve as an appropriate focal point for those wishing to pay their respects.
Above: "Robin of Sherwood" TV series, 1984/86. Below: "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938), "Bandit of Sherwood Forest" (1946).
Will Scarlet, Will Scarlet's grave, St Mary of the Purification, Blidworth, church
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